Jor-EL's Herbal Medicine Chest - PURSLANE

[jorel-1]

PURSLANE - An Herb or a Weed ?

Purslane (Portulaca oleraceae), is a potherb, an annual succulent, a green, and to many, a weed. But it's been found to be a source of Vitamin A, C and large amounts of E, plus contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant we know of. It also has only about 15 calories per serving! We owe it to ourselves to find out more about this herb that most of us yank out of the ground by the handfuls!

Purslane has been used medicinally since Roman times where it was considered useful for disentery and diarrhea. Modern Chinese clinical studies corroborate this ancient use and have investigated purslane as a mild antibiotic against bacillary dysentery and as a soothing demulcent to irritated gastrointestinal membranes. (Sounds like it would be beneficial for "Leaky Gut Syndrome" - Jor-EL)

Purslane is recognized as a medicinal plant in diverse parts of the world, including America, India, the Meditteranean, and China.

You can eat the wild purslane that you find in the garden or flower beds if you are absolutely sure it has not been exposed to chemicals of any kind. However, the cultivated varieties are often larger and more tender. You'll need a sunny position that is well-drained. Purslane is very drought tolerant, but plant it in good, fertile soil with compost added for the juiciest stems and leaves.

Purslane is best when it's young and tender. Grow it in pots or shallow wide containers and harvest as needed, using mostly top leaves and stems. Once the plant blooms it won't be as tender and tasteful. Just a note-don't confuse purslane with Moss Rose, Portulaca grandiflora, an annual that is grown for it's rose like blooms.

Purslane can be added to soups, similar to when okra is used. You can also add it raw to salads. The crunchy tangy taste is really a great addition. In Mexico it is traditionally added to eggs and omelets. You can substitute the succulent leaves for cucumbers in your favorite dill pickle recipe.

Purslane is well-documented for beneficial cardiovascular and cholesterol controlling effects. Chickens grazing on purslane produce high omega-3 eggs. The species has no freeze tolerance, but excells in the hottest weather.

[polkadot]

If many think this is a weed, would my local nurserey carry this? Interesting info!

[Dulane]

Sounds good Jor-EL. I am using a tea I make from juniper berries and plantain on my scalp. It really helps. I put it in a plastic applicator bottle (with a skinny tip) and apply it at least once a day. It hasn't gotten rid of the P, but it makes my scalp smooth and comfortable.

Plantain grows all around my property and I camped at a place that had a large juniper tree recently.

http://www.ewebtribe.com/StarSpiderD...s/plantain.jpg
http://ontariowildflower.com/images/...iper_berry.jpg

I probably wouldn't have pilferred the juniper tree, but I was camping with my grandson, and he decided the berries would make good ammo, and the base of the tree made a great fort. So when we were leaving, I picked up all his ammo, took it home and dried it in a collander. I've got enough to make my scalp-tea for a couple of years. (Please let it be gone before that!)

I make the tea in a small sauce pan, just bring it to a boil and then turn it off but leave it on the burner so it simmers a bit. I usually make 2 cups at a time, and I use about 1/2 cup per week. I freeze the rest in pint jars, and let it sit on the counter to unthaw.

The tea is a little bit dark, but you can't see it when its applied, and I don't wet my hair...just my scalp, so it doesn't stain anything.

Both of these herbs have been used for centuries for skin conditions. Juniper is used for a spice too, but is most widely used for making gin.

I also use Burt's Bees 'Feelin Flaky' shampoo. It contains juniper and cedar oils, and I find it helpful. I have waist length hair, and I loosely braid it before I wash it. (Partly to keep the hair out of my drain.) That way I wash my scalp with the spendy herbal shampoo, and I wash my braid with regular shampoo. I don't apply conditioner to my scalp either, just the braid.

[jorel-1]

Sounds good, Dulane.

[RichJ]

hi john,
next month i start sell healt food stuff. second job for some extra money. i like what i here from them.

have a good night all

richard

[jorel-1]

Wonderful RichJ !!!!

Real good to hear that brother, and I wish you all the best luck in the world with it.